WORTHINGTON – Peter J. Rooney III and his wife, Susanne, received the keys to their new home Saturday – much to the delight of dozens of people who gathered in the garage and under a tent in the driveway.

Peter Rooney is a former Army sergeant who lost both his legs in Iraq in April 2007 when, while on patrol, an improvised explosive device blew up under the Humvee in which he was riding.

The new home is a project of Homes for Our Troops, which builds homes for severely injured veterans.

The Rooney’s home on Kinnebrook Road also involved individuals making monetary donations to the project, plus labor and materials provided by building professionals.

Rooney, 27, said the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house was “amazing.” He had been to the home earlier.

“I had to come check it out before, and I had to come thank the people,” he said.

“It’s just a wonderful home,” said Susanne Rooney.

“We need to take care of these men and women who are coming back. This is us,” said Kent Hicks, the general contractor for the project and owner and president of Kent Hicks Construction Co., of Worthington.